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(Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

T. T. CHURCH.

DEVICE EOE REVENUE PROTECTION IN CIGAR BOXES. No. 262,572. Patented Aug.16, 1882.

N4 PUERs Phololilhogruphcr. Wash ngton, D. c.

2 Sheets-Shet 2.

(Model.)

T. T. CHURCH.

DEVICE POBVREVBNUE PROTECTION IN CIGAR BOXES. No. 262,572.

PatentedAug. 15, 1882'.

FIG; 5.

8 3 E u H|| o u JIL J k I INVENTOR. WITNESSES. 6 i

N, PETERS. mm-mmn m Washington. 0. c

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS T. CHURCH, OF FORT HAMILTON, NEW YORK.

DEVICE FOR REVENUE PROTECTION IN CIGAR-BOXES.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 262,572, dated August 15, 1882.

Application filed January 21, 1882. (ModeL) To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS T. CHURCH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fort Hamilton, in the county of Kings and State of NewYork, have invented a new and useful Device for Revenue Protection in Cigar-Boxes, (for which I have obtained no foreign patent whatever,) of which the following is a specification.

The purpose of my invention is to provide means for preventing frauds upon the revenue, while permitting the proper inspection of the cigars by intending purchasers before p'urchasing, and without disturbing the revenueguard devices, and also to simplify the method and manipulations required in putting up the cigars, while making theprotection of the revenue more perfect. I have found that strips of paper extended over the cigars and under the box-lid will stretchand yield, if dampened, so as to allow the cigars to be removed surreptitiously, and also that strips or slats of wood as now applied are not satisfactory. I attain the purposes stated by the devices and arrangement illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the box when closed. Fig. 2 is a like view of the box when the lid is lifted. Fig. 3-is a like view when the box is opened and the stamp canceled. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the box when closed; and Fig. 5is a bottom View, showing the regular notice.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The cigar-box B may be made in any usual way. The slats It" andR consist of thin strips of wood or other sufficiently stiff material,'

and are placed side by side, extending from end to end of the cigar-box below the lower side of the box-cover L, when closed, and preferably supported at the ends in the cuts or depressions A A made in the box ends. A paper strip, S, preferably having the usual revenue notice printed thereon, so that when it is applied the notice will show on the bottom of the box, is pasted thereon so that the ends of the strip will extend from the box-bottom over the box ends, and,say, for an inch or two upon the ends of the slats R and R. The revenuestamp R is applied upon the slats R and B, with its ends extending over the ends of the box and upon or toward the box-bottom. The ends of the strip S, which should be'made of Manilla or other strong paper, extend to the dotted lines across R and R at each end in Fig. 2, and secure the ends of the slats R and R and prevent accidental rupture of the stamp at the edges of the box. The two slats being placed side by side, with the line of division between them approximately under the longitudinal center of the revenue-stamp, the method of breaking the stamp to be officially required is to break the paper strip S at one end of the slat R or R by raising one endot' one of the slats so as to tear the reven ue-stamp longitudinally and most effectually, whereupon the other slat may be also removed. Before, however, the strip or stamp is disturbed thorough examination of the quality and flavor of the cigars may be made as often as may be required.

Applied as shown, any sized box can be protected by a single style or length of stamps, care being taken to have the stamp lap over and beyond the ends of the strip S, at dotted lines, Fig. 2, or wherever it may come.

R indicates the stamp as now generally applied by wrapping it around the box transversely, and it is usually ruptured at the front edge of the box-lid, where the joint between the lid and the front side of the box comes, and crosswise of the stamp instead of lengthwise, as in my invention. Either slat in ny be lilted in rupturing the stamp, while the 01 her for the time being remains. I have shown the rear most one as raised in Fig. 3, and in Fig. 2, in

dotted line, the foremost is shown as raised.

THOMAS T. CHURCH.

Witnesses:

W. O. LEWIS, LAWRENCE A. ANSER'I. 

